Interpreting Progress Feedback to Guide Clinical Decision-Making in Children's Mental Health Services

Katherine H Tsai; Andrew L Moskowitz; Todd E Brown; Alayna L Park; Bruce F Chorpita

doi:10.1007/s10488-015-0630-4

Interpreting Progress Feedback to Guide Clinical Decision-Making in Children's Mental Health Services

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2016 Mar;43(2):199-206. doi: 10.1007/s10488-015-0630-4.

Authors

Katherine H Tsai¹, Andrew L Moskowitz², Todd E Brown², Alayna L Park², Bruce F Chorpita²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. katsai@gmail.com.
² Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.

Abstract

Measurement feedback systems (MFSs) can help improve clinical outcomes by enhancing clinical decision-making. Unfortunately, limited information exists to guide the use and interpretation of data from MFSs. This study examined the amount of data that would provide a reasonable and reliable prediction of a client's rate of symptomatology in order to help inform clinical decision-making processes. Results showed that use of more data predicted greater levels of accuracy. However, there were diminishing returns on the ability for additional data to improve predictive accuracy. Findings inform efforts to develop guidelines on the interpretation of data from MFSs.

Keywords: Clinical reasoning; Evidence-based technology; Feedback; Monitoring; Treatment outcomes.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Checklist*
Child
Child Health Services*
Clinical Decision-Making*
Feedback*
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Los Angeles
Male
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Mental Health Services*
Treatment Outcome

Grants and funding

T32 DA007272/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States